It’s a routine morning for Charles Dake: He drives an hour roundtrip to give a horse a quick vaccine, then he’s off to castrate and dehorn a herd of cattle, and onto yet another farm to sedate and castrate a horse–all before lunch.

With a shortage of veterinarians, Dake’s business is booming–so much so that he would like a little competition. Lawmakers are trying to help out, proposing incentives for more veterinary students to focus on cattle, horses, and other large livestock.

The enticements are necessary because most new veterinarians decide to work with pets.

“I like the outdoors more than inside, but there’s more money and better working conditions with small animals–and you’re not liable to get hit in the head or kicked,” Dake said